1395. Paris - Lot 26

1395. Paris Great Western Schism (1378-1417). Manuscript of 39 small in-4 pages on vellum, fourteenth century, containing the deliberation of the University of Paris on the schism dividing the church. This deliberation, taken by virtue of an edict of Charles VI, is addressed to Pope Benedict XIII. April 14, 1395 (Joursanvault 1073). In 1394, Philip the Bold, regent of France since the madness of King Charles VI, asked the University of Paris to present him with a recommendation on how to put an end to the schism. Indeed, Benedict XIII's aggressive fiscal policy, which deprived the clergy of a large proportion of the benefits derived from their offices, had alienated many clerics. Philip the Bold, who followed a conciliatory policy towards the papacy in Rome to appease the Flemish, had every interest in putting an end to the schism. After several months of deliberation, the University presented three solutions: compromise (leaving it up to the pontiffs to put an end to the schism themselves), cession (simultaneously dismissing them and electing another) or the convening of a council to settle the issue. In February 1395, the King's Council supported the principle of taking the path of cession (Louis d'Orléans, a supporter of the de facto path, which served his Italian interests, had been ousted by Philip the Bold). However, neither Benedict XIII nor Boniface IX agreed to step down.